Secrets revealed
It's the products you can't see that make all the difference to your kitchen or bathroom renovation LookHome¢ exposes a few trade secrets
Kitchen and bathroom renovations often require thorough planning and complex design solutions. They can also absorb a big part of your renovation budget, so it's important to ensure your home is protected against one of the most common defects builders and insurers are called in to rectify moisture damage in wet areas.
Steve Peluso, rectification specialist from Master Menders, says he has seen dozens of homes where the floor has given way because the waterproofing has failed.
"It's common for the front of the shower, where the bath mat usually sits, to be the first place to go," he says. "You don't tend to notice the water building up underneath, then moving through the tiles into the substrate."
Peluso says moisture damage can come from a combination of poor workmanship and poor material selection.
"With industry experts noting that bathroom rectification costs on average between $12,000 and $15,000, it's a pricey problem, and one worth avoiding."
Choosing the correct substrate helps prevent such moisture damage, functioning as a protector behind the scenes.
Scyon¢ Secura¢ wet area flooring from James Hardie is a lightweight, heavy-duty, cement composite that sits over timber or lightweight steel floor joists, directly beneath the floor tiles.
The company says Secura's moisture resistance is so good it removes the need for full floor waterproofing outside enclosed shower areas. The flooring is also easy to cut and features a tongue-and-groove jointing that slots neatly into other 19mm flooring products if required. It is also nearly 20% lighter than conventional 15mm compressed sheets.
Wall linings also need to be taken into consideration when planning your kitchen or bathroom renovation. James Hardie Villaboard® lining is designed for such wet areas. The board is moisture resistant right through, which means that even if it does get wet, it is still a sound base for tiles or other finishes.
Reduced tile adhesion, which can be caused by moisture penetration, is also avoided. The company says Villaboard lining has a tensile bond strength that's 75% greater than wet-area plasterboard when dry, and 300% greater when wet.
Villaboard is also durable and impact resistant, and has a smooth, flat surface suitable for paint, tiles or wallpaper.
For details, visit www.scyon.com.au and www.jameshardie.com.au.
Story by: Trendsideas
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